Kingsdown – Bristol’s Vertical Suburb

“Nowhere else (in Britain) is there an 18^th century suburb apparently hanging in mid-air over a big city” wrote Ian Nairn, the architectural critic in the Observer in the 1950’s when the terraces on the slopes and summit of King’s Down, Bristol were under threat of demolition by the authorities. A lack of maintenance, coupled with Second World War damage and the post-war zoning of the Kingsdown slopes for hospital expansion and municipal housing, resulted in the 1950’s clearance of those houses deemed to be unfit.  Vigorous and passionate opposition began the fight back resulting with the survival of the few streets on the hilltop, and their architectural qualities saved.  Written by local authors Penny Mellor and Mary Wright this book celebrates the history of Kingsdown through to the 21^st century including beautiful illustrated pictures and maps.

Author: Penny Mellor and Mary Wright
Hardback, 128 pages
Published: 2009